CONFIRMED: Russell Slade bolsters his defensive options with the loan signing of Farrend Rawson - The Coventry Observer

CONFIRMED: Russell Slade bolsters his defensive options with the loan signing of Farrend Rawson

Coventry Editorial 17th Jan, 2017 Updated: 17th Jan, 2017   0

FOOTBALL: SKY Blues boss Russell Slade has completed his business in the transfer market as far incoming defenders are concerned following the capture of highly-rated defender Farrend Rawson.

As reported by the Observer on Monday, Rawson has joined the League One club on loan until the end of the season and becomes Slade’s second loan signing since joining in December.

Rawson, 20, moves to the Ricoh Arena with a glowing reputation as a tough-tackling centre-back who impressed during two loan spells with Rotherham United.

The Nottingham-born defender signed his first professional deal with Derby back in 2014 and although he was named on the Derby bench for a League Cup match against Charlton in August that year, he has yet to make his full Rams debut.




After representing the Rams’ Under-23s, he moved to Rotherham in March 2015 on a 28-day loan and made his professional debut in a 2-0 victory away at Huddersfield.

Rawson returned to Rotherham the following season on loan and went on to make 16 appearances for The Millers, scoring two goals against Charlton and Fulham.


This season Rawson played in all three of Derby County Under-23s’ fixtures in the Checkatrade Trophy and moves to the Sky Blues in search of more first team exposure.

Slade said: “The signing of Farrend completes our recruitment in the defensive department and we’re delighted to have him on board.

“He is very mature player for such a young age and acquitted himself particularly well in the Championship with Rotherham.

“Farrend will once again strengthen our defensive options, and allows us to now turn our attention to recruiting in other areas of the pitch.”

The Observer also understands that the Sky Blues will also sign Derby striker Charles Vernam, although his move is not expected to be completed until next week at the earliest.

The move was intended to be completed this week but after Bradley Johnson was sent of towards the end of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Leeds, Rams boss Steve McClaren needs to keep Vernam in as temporary cover and he is expected to be named in Derby’s 18-man squad this weekend.

Vernam signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Championship club back in December last year and has been in fine form for the club’s Under-23s in recent years.

The 20-year-old is a product of the Rams’ Academy and his form for the reserves earned Vernam his first team debut in the FA Cup away at West Brom at the beginning of December.

Speaking about Vernam back in December, Rams boss McClaren said: “Charles is a talented young footballer. There’s a lot of potential there with Charles to work with and he scores goals.”

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